ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University women's basketball, the No 3 seed, battled to the end and came away with a 99-98 overtime win against No. 6 seeded Rosemont College on Monday evening in a Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) first round match-up.
Minika Glenn netted 37 points and 10 rebounds in the win. The freshman made four three-pointers and went 11-for-12 from the free throw line. Kristen Denoncour tallied 21 points and 16 rebounds. Nafisa Saunders added 20 points.
The game came down to the final shot. With three seconds on the clock, Saunders hit a layup off a pass from Glenn to put the Knights up by one, 99-98. The Ravens had a last second shot, but it did not go and the buzzer sounded.
During the first half, the teams stayed within a few points of one another with 10 lead changes and five tied scores. The Ravens took a slim 41-38 lead into halftime.
A three-pointer by Saunders to start the second half began a 7-0 run for the Knights. Neumann looked like it was starting to pull away and with 2:27 left in the third quarter took a 10 point lead, 60-50. The Knights would hold a lead as big as 14, 68-54, with under a minute left on the clock. The Ravens answered with two three-pointer before the buzzer for a 68-60 score heading into the final 10 minutes.
The Ravens continued its run that started in the third quarter and finished with a 17-0 run to erase the 14 point deficit and take a 71-68 lead. Rosemont kept its foot on the gas and built up an 85-75 lead with 2:25 left in regulation.
Glenn hit key baskets to start the Neumann comeback including a three-pointer and three free throws after being fouled outside the arc. Shauntel Williams connected on a layup with 1:09 on the clock to get the Knights to within four, 83-87. The Ravens then went 1-for-2 from the line. Glenn hit a layup and Rosemont again went 1-for-2 from the line. Alex Fernandez brought the Knights within two, 89-87, with 25 seconds remaining. After a Rosemont turnover, Glenn was fouled and she sank both free throws to tie the game at 89. The Ravens turned the ball over before the buzzer sounded, but the Knights didn't have enough time to hit the winning basket in regulation and the game went to overtime.
Overtime was no different from regulation as the teams remained within a few points of one another. Down three, 98-95, with a minute left in the extra session, Denoncour hit a jumper for a one point game. After misses by both teams, the Ravens turned the ball over with 10 seconds remaining. Neumann took a timeout to set up the final play, which turned into the game-winner.
Neumann (19-7) will head to No. 2 seeded Gwynedd Mercy on Wednesday for semifinal action.
**Notes of interest: Glenn's 37 points tied for the second highest scored in a single game and second time 37 points has been reached this season. Nafisa Saunders (37 points against Marywood University 1/31/18). Game record: Celeste Rogers (45 points against Wilmington College 2/11/1989).**